Element for a toy interlocking construction block set

ABSTRACT

An interlocking construction building block element can be used to add text, labels and symbols to interlocking building block projects. The element can be shaped and sized to interlock with common existing interlocking building block products. A portion of the element can be formed in the shape of letters, numbers or symbols, thus allowing these elements to be spelled out on the surface of the interlocking building block pieces.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to toy building sets and, more particularly, to an element for adding text, labels and symbols to interlocking construction block projects.

Toy interlocking construction blocks have been used by children and adults for many decades. For example, The Lego® Group was founded in 1932 and their toys have been twice named “Toy of the Century”. Since then, companies have created similar interlocking construction block sets.

However, among the various interlocking construction block sets, there is still no way to create customized labels with letters, numbers and symbols on the construction blocks. While stickers or pre-printed blocks can be used to create this type of lettering, there is currently no known way to add these letters, numbers and symbols in a customized, easily removable fashion.

As can be seen, there is a need for an element for a toy interlocking construction block set that can allow users to add customized letters, numbers and symbols to their construction projects.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the present invention, an element for an interlocking building set comprises an element interlocking socket adapted to receive a base interlocking post of a base of the interlocking building set; and a text notation disposed on a surface of the element, the text notation viewable when the element interlocking socket is inserted into the base interlocking post.

In another aspect of the present invention, an element for an interlocking building set comprises an element interlocking socket adapted to receive a base interlocking post of a base of the interlocking building set; an element interlocking post formed on the element, the element interlocking post having a size and shape matching the base interlocking post; and a text notation disposed on a surface of the element, the text notation viewable when the element interlocking socket is inserted into the base interlocking post, wherein the text notation is disposed on a surface of the element interlocking post.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing letter elements in use on a construction building block piece according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a top view of a letter element according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the letter element of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the letter element of FIG. 2; and

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the letter element, taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

Broadly, an embodiment of the present invention provides an interlocking construction building block element that can be used to add text, labels and symbols to interlocking building block projects. The element can be shaped and sized to interlock with common existing interlocking building block products. A portion of the element can be formed in the shape of letters, numbers or symbols, thus allowing these elements to be spelled out on the surface of the interlocking building block pieces.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 through 5, an interlocking construction building block element 10 (also referred to as element 10) can include a text notation 14 displayed on a top surface thereof. The text notation 14 is raised from the surface of the element 10. As used herein, the term “text notation” can refer to a letter, number, symbol, mathematical operator, or the like. The text notation can be, for example, any standard ISO character in any font. In some embodiments, the text notation can be formed in different languages and, therefore, be shown as the appropriate symbol for that language.

The element 10 can include an element interlocking socket 18 formed as a hole in the bottom of the element 10. The element interlocking socket 18 may frictionally fit into a base interlocking post 22 formed in a base 20. In some embodiments, the element interlocking socket 18 may be formed of various sizes, shapes and configurations, provided that the element interlocking socket 18 can fit into a base interlocking post 22 of an existing base 20. The base 20 can be from any conventional interlocking building block construction set, such as the Lego® brand building set.

While the figures show the element interlocking socket 18 being disposed about 180 degrees from the text notation 14 such that, when the element 10 is disposed onto the base interlocking post 22, the text notation 14 is displayed on a surface that is generally parallel to the surface of the base 20. In some embodiments, however, the element interlocking socket 18 may be formed at a different angle, such as at a 90 degree angle from the text notation 14. In this configuration, if a construction project, such as an airplane, if built, a user can dispose the element on the bottom of the airplane so that the text notation 14 can be read from the side of the airplane. In other embodiments, the text notation 14 can be disposed on multiple sides of the element 14. For example, in the same airplane project, a multiple-sided element is disposed on the bottom of the airplane, the user may be able to read the text notation from either side and/or from the bottom, for example.

The element 10 can include an element interlocking post 16 formed above the element interlocking socket 18. The text notation 14 can be disposed on the element interlocking post 16. The element interlocking post 16 can be sized to be the same as the base interlocking post 22, allowing additional elements 10 to be placed on top of a first element, for example, or allowing construction building blocks to be secured to the element interlocking posts 16 of the elements 10.

The element 10 can be formed in various colors. Typically, the text notation 14 is made in a color different from that of the remainder of the element 10. In some embodiments, the element 10 and/or the text notation 14 can be made from a transparent, colored material. In this embodiment, the transmissive display of the text can be made by illuminating the element 10 from a back side thereof, for example.

Typically, the element 10 is provided with a single element interlocking socket 18 and a single text notation 14 disposed thereupon. However, in some embodiments, the element 10 can include multiple element interlocking sockets 18 and may include multiple text notations 14 that can spell out a word or a portion of a word.

The element 10 can be formed from various materials that may be suitable for its purpose. Typically, plastic is used as the material for the element 10. The element 10 can be formed from various processes. For example, injection molding can be used for elements that are made of plastic.

It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An element for an interlocking building set, comprising: an element interlocking socket adapted to receive a base interlocking post of a base of the interlocking building set; and a text notation disposed on a surface of the element, the text notation viewable when the element interlocking socket is inserted into the base interlocking post.
 2. The element of claim 1, wherein the element is adapted to be disposed on adjacent ones of the base interlocking posts.
 3. The element of claim 1, further comprising an element interlocking post formed on the element, the element interlocking post having a size and shape matching the base interlocking post.
 4. The element of claim 3, wherein the text notation is disposed on a surface of the element interlocking post.
 5. The element of claim 1, wherein the text notation is disposed at a side opposite the element interlocking socket.
 6. The element of claim 1, wherein the text notation is raised text notation.
 7. An element for an interlocking building set, comprising: an element interlocking socket adapted to receive a base interlocking post of a base of the interlocking building set; an element interlocking post formed on the element, the element interlocking post having a size and shape matching the base interlocking post; and a text notation disposed on a surface of the element, the text notation viewable when the element interlocking socket is inserted into the base interlocking post, wherein the text notation is disposed on an exterior surface of the element interlocking post.
 8. The element of claim 7, wherein the element is adapted to be disposed on adjacent ones of the base interlocking posts.
 9. The element of claim 7, wherein the text notation is disposed at a side opposite the element interlocking socket.
 10. The element of claim 7, wherein the text notation is raised text notation. 